History

European settlement began in 1843. Prior to this it is believed the Wemba-Wemba Aborigines occupied Koondrook (where the two rivers meet). The Post Office opened on March 1st 1879. In 1889 the Kerang-Koondrook Tramway was opened linking Koondrook to the Victorian Railway Network. It was eventually closed in 1978. Koondrook Primary School opened in 1880 along with Singleton’s Hotel. The Wharf was built in 1882. The Baptist Church was opened in 1889, the Anglican Church in July 1884. The Main St Bakery was built in 1910 and was one of several. The Koondrook Memorial Hall was opened in 1925. The Butcher was established in 1904. The Hospital House was opened in 1910 and run by Nurse Elisabeth Rosen. The Goods Shed was built in 1890. Arbuthnot Sawmill was then opened in 1890. The Butter Factory was opened in 1892. It manufactured soft drinks, ice and milk products. Koondrook had and still has a lot of redgum trees. These were then turned into railway sleepers. This benefitted the town greatly. The Koondrook Barham Bridge is one of the oldest surviving bridges on the river. The bridge was opened in 1904. It is used everyday by the residents of the twin towns.